GOVT upsets KMC’s plans of 2nd dumping ground

Statesman News Service | July 21, 2013 8:01 pm

State government yet to give its nod for the site proposed by civic body
APARAJIT CHAKRABORTY [email protected]
Kolkata, 21 July
Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) plan to set up a second dumping ground has gone for a toss as the state government is yet to clear the proposal.
In 2010, soon after the Trinamul Congress assumed power, it had conducted a survey to find out a suitable piece of land to set up the dumping ground off east Calcutta wetland. But the civic body dropped the idea to set up the dumping ground near the site after the International Ramsar authorities raised strong objection.
Later, the civic body identified 100 acres land at Kharamba adjacent to Kolkata Leather Complex for it setting. The land is in possession of the state government. In 2011, the civic body had sent a proposal to the state government for setting up the dumping ground. The civic body has not got the nod from the state government yet, said a senior official of the solid waste
management of the KMC.
Later, the KMC identified another land at Thakurpukur, to set up the dumping ground.
But, the civic body failed to acquire the land because of stiff resistance from local farmers. Also, this area lacks civic infrastructure, as it does not have any approach road to the project site.
In order to set up an alternative dumping ground the KMC identified another land at Beuta near Kolkata Leather Complex that is in possession of the state government.
The KMC also sent a proposal to the state government, but the civic body is yet to receive any nod from the state government.
If the civic body does not get the approval then it will find out alternative ways for setting up a dumping ground, said Mr Debabrata Majumder, member, mayor-in-council (solid waste management).
The existing site at Dhapa covers 17 acres. It would only take a year for the dumping site to get fully exhausted, as 3,500 metric tonnes of solid waste is being dumped now at the site daily and the quantity is rising, senior civic officials said.